Crank-case heater for motor vehicles and the like



April 8 193G. BRIGGS ET AL 1,754,980

CRANK CASE HEATER FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND THE LIKE Filed April 5, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet l gwuenl'ow 42 62597 711 .zr-g ffs flew ry efaue 715 Apniil8, 1930. A. L. BRIGGS ,ET AL 1,754,080

I CRANK CASE HEATER FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND THE LIKE Filed April 5, 19292 Sheets-Sheet 2 4Za e]&er? L. B g s Henry Jauers v Patented Apr. 8,1930 a a device of this UNITED STATES PATENT GEE-ICE ADELBEBE L. BRIGGSAND HENRY 85171138, 0] ESCANAIBA, MICHIGAN CRANK-CASE E EATER FOB MOTORVEHICLES AND THE LIKE Application filed April 5,

Our invention relates to im rovements in ciiiank-case heaters for motorve icles and the li e.

Briefly stated the invention contemplates kind which is very simple inconstruction, highly efficient in practical use for maintaining the oilin the crank-case, in a fluid state, (to assure easy starting in coldweather), and which can be readily applied to all types of internalcombustion engine crank-cases without the necessity of removthecrank-case from the motor.

in %he invention also has for an object to provide in a device of thiskind a novel assembl of heating unit and carrier therefor where y theheating unit can be readily removed,-the nature of the crank-case andheating unit-carrier assembly being such as to prevent oil leaka e.

Another object o the invention resides in the provision of novel meansfor confining the heating unit in place within the heating unit carrier.

As still further'objects, the invention aims to furnish afuse-controlled current supply line and a thermostatically operablecontrol switch therefor responsive to the crank case oil temperature.

The invention also resides in certain novel features of construction,combination and arrangement of the various parts and in modes ofoperation which will be readily understood and appreciated by thoseskilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying drawing inconnection with the following descriptive matter.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed and claimedherein, yet it will be understood that various changes and departurescan be made in and from the disclosed embodiment of the inventionwithout, however, departing from the spirit and scope of the subjectmatter claimed hereinafter.

g In the drawings- Figure 1is a side velevational view illustrating theapplication of the invention to engine crank-case of a motorvehicle,-the wiring being shown diagrammatically;

1929. Serial N0. 852,860.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view drawn to enlargedscale;

Figure 3 is a group perspective view illustrating a fragment of thecrank caseaand certain of the elements of the installation appliedthercto,-the heating element being shown removed from its casing;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the crank case anddepicting the heatin element and its confining closure in place;

igure 5 is a View similar to Figure 4 but showing the thermostaticcontrol switch;

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a wiring diagram.

Referring specifically to the drawing, wherein the same referencecharacters have been used to designate the same parts in all views,numeral 1 denotes the engine crankcase, while 2 indicates a fibre fuseblock, which is bolted to the crank-case, as shown at 2'. Fuse block 2has binding posts 3, 6 as shown.

From the binding posts 3 lead the wires 4 to the plug 5, which isadapted to be plugged into the 110 A. G. or D. C. electric light circuitof the garage. Of course the storage battery of the car may be availedof as the source of current supply as suggested in Figure 1.

The block 2 isshown as provided with a plug fuse 2,the socket of whichis connected with the individual binding posts 3,

' 6, at one side of the block 2.

posts 6 lead the insulated From the bindin lie former being attachedlead wires 7, 8,-

' to the binding post 9 of heating unit 10, while the wire 8 is attachedto the post or contact 11 of a switch block 12. A spring metal bridgepiece 13 is attached to post 11 and is adapted to be actuated to andfrom contact with the other switch block contact post 14 by means of thereciprocal lunger 15 of the thermostat '16 within the fluid tight casing17.

This casing 17 is brazed or welded to the crank case 1 and projectsthereinto as shown in Figure 6,the plunger 15 workin through a suitablepackin gland 18 carried y switch block 12. Switc block 12 is suitablysecured to the outer side of the crank case.

From switch block contact-post 14 leads the wire'19 to the bindingpost'9' of the heating unit 10.

The heating unit 10 is adapted to be inserted into an elongated flatrectangular casing 20 through its end opening 20. The casing 20 isinsertable through a side. slot 1 cut in the crank case 1. The outer endof the casin 20 is provided with a marginal flange 20 w lich is adaptedto be brazed to the outer wall surface of the crank-case so as toprosimply cutting the slot 1 in the side of the crank-case, asindicated. a

The heating unit 10, per se, forms no part of the present invention.Suflice it to say that the same comprises generally a block havingcovered grooves containing the heating coil 22 the ends of which areconnected with the binding posts 9, 9 which project through the end ofthe blocks.

The heating unit 10 is confined in place by means of a fiber cover 23which is secured to the side of the crank-case by,-means of studs 24projecting from the crank case and receiving wing nuts 26. The fibercover'has holes through which the binding posts 9, 9 extend,there beingprovided nuts 25 on each binding post on either side of the fiber cover.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings,

and said marginal flange being brazed to the I crank-case.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1, and said electric supply meansincluding a fuse and carrier block therefor secured to said crank-case.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1- said heating element havinterminals, and said closure being of insulating material and havin holesthrough which said terminals are a apted t0 project whereby to keep saidterminals separated.

5. In a crank-case heater, a casing carried ff by the crank-case'belowthe oil level therein, a heating element insertible into said casingfrom the outside of the crank-case, means for confining said heatingelement in said casing, a fuse carrying block, a switch block, and athermostat all carried by said crankcase, the thermostat extending intothe crankvase below the oil level thereof, the switch block havingcontacts, current supply means for said heating element, one of thelines of said supply means leading through said fuse block, one of thelines leadin to one contact of the switch block and rom the othercontact to the heating element and a contact bridging element carried bythe thermostat and adapted to bridge the switch bridge contacts.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures.

ADELBERT L. BRIGGS. HENRY SAUERS.

, it will be apparent that the car equipped with my invention maybeputin a garage the plug 5 inserted in a socket and left with theassurance that the crank-case temperature will be maintained at a temerature sufliciently high to preserve the flui ity of the oil, -thethermostat cuttin on the current when the temperature reac es apredetermined low point and shutting it off at a predetermined highpoint. i

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In the combination ofa crank-case and heater, a casing insertiblethrough a slot in the crank-case, the casing having an open end, amarginal laterally extending flange at the open end of said casing andadapted to abut the wall of the crank-case against the slot therein forlimiting insertion of the easing into the crank-case, means forsealingly connecting the casing to said crank-case through themedium ofsaid marginal flange, '1, heating unit insertible into said casingthrough the open end thereof, a closure for the open end of said casing,and means for supplying electric current to said heating unit.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1,

